Top state parks
State ParkBaxter State Park
State ParkFort Halifax
State ParkTwo Lights State Park
State ParkQuoddy Head State Park
State ParkFort Point State Park
State ParkPopham Beach State Park
State ParkCamden Hills State Park
State ParkWolfe's Neck Woods State Park
State ParkPemaquid Archeological Site
State ParkGrafton Notch State Park
State ParkVaughan Woods State Park
State ParkCobscook Bay State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (23)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baxter State Park | Piscataquis County | — | Patten | 1 |
| Fort Halifax | Kennebec County | — | Winslow | 6 |
| Two Lights State Park | Cumberland County | — | South Portland | 5 |
| Quoddy Head State Park | Washington County | — | Eastport | 1 |
| Fort Point State Park | Hancock County | — | Stockton Springs | 3 |
| Popham Beach State Park | Sagadahoc County | — | Phippsburg | 3 |
| Camden Hills State Park | Waldo County | — | Lincolnville | 4 |
| Wolfe's Neck Woods State Park | Cumberland County | — | Freeport | 4 |
| Pemaquid Archeological Site | Lincoln County | — | Bristol | 3 |
| Grafton Notch State Park | Oxford County | — | Milan | 2 |
| Vaughan Woods State Park | York County | — | South Berwick | 6 |
| Cobscook Bay State Park | Washington County | — | Eastport | 1 |
| Reid State Park | Sagadahoc County | — | Phippsburg | 3 |
| Sebago Lake State Park | Cumberland County | — | Raymond | 4 |
| Roque Bluffs State Park | Washington County | — | Machias | 1 |
| Lake St. George State Park | Waldo County | — | Palermo | 3 |
| Lamoine State ParkAcadia | Hancock County | — | Trenton | 2 |
| Lily Bay State Park | Piscataquis County | — | Greenville | 1 |
| Bradbury Mountain State Park | Cumberland County | — | Freeport | 4 |
| Mount Blue State Park | Franklin County | — | Phillips | 2 |
| Shackford Head State Park | Washington County | — | Eastport | 1 |
| Swan Lake State Park | Waldo County | — | Swanville | 3 |
| Rangeley Lake State Park | Franklin County | — | Phillips | 2 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.